Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Electricity
110V, 60 Hz

Entry and visa requirements
Passport required. Visa or tourist card not needed for stays of up to three months (extended upon application). Carry identification at all times. Tourist cards can be obtained from airlines serving Guatemala, or at any Guatemalan consulate. Cost of tourist card, US$5.

Departure taxes
There is a departure tax of US$30.

Customs
Duty Free allowance is 80 cigarettes or 3.5 oz tobacco; 1.5 liters (two bottles) alcohol (open); two bottles perfume (open).

Tipping
A 10-15 percent tip is usually recommended. More often than not, tips are not included in the prices of meals or other services. The sales tax (VAT) is 12 percent of the total amount of the purchase. The hotel room tourist tax is 22 percent.

Tip bellboys and chambermaids about US$0.50 per day per person. Tourist guides who accompany groups of more than five persons for a certain time usually receive US$2 per person per day in tips. Individuals or couples on a day tour usually reward the guide with US$35-50.

Luggage carriers and bellboys in the hotels usually receive the equivalent of one dollar per piece of luggage. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary.

Tourist offices INGUAT
(Guatemalan Tourist Commission)
7th Avenue 1-17 Zone 4, Civic Center
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Tel: (502) 361-331-3333 to 47
Fax: (502) 331-8893
E-mail: inguat@guate.net
Web site: www.guatemala.travel.com.gt
For information and assistance:
1-801-INGUAT-1 (1-801-464-8281) Guatemala
1-888-INGUAT-1 (1-888-464-8281) United States

Telecommunications
Guatemala offers domestic and international telephone, fax, telex and telegraph services.

The country code for Guatemala is 502.

Guatemala City
This sprawling metropolis with 3 million residents is the transportation and service hub of Guatemala. It's also a cosmopolitan city, with modern buildings and luxury hotels and is divided into zonas or zones. For example, Zona 1 is the historical center of town, where the traditional Plaza Major is anchored by the magnificent National Palace on the northern side and the enormous Metropolitan Cathedral. Take the time to visit the Mercado Central, where you can get your first glimpse at Guatemalan handicrafts. The city is also home to several excellent museums (See Don't Miss…)

Dining, nightlife and shopping are pastimes to be enjoyed in the capital city, which offers visitors everything from authentic Guatemalan dishes to Parisian haute cuisine; from traditional entertainment or the bright lights of a discotheque; and the from the joy of haggling in the Mercado de Artesanías to the whisper of expensive boutique transactions. Guatemala is a study of contrasts, making it an appealing venue for different tastes.

Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango is the second largest city in Guatemala, home to some 700,000 residents. Located 124 miles west of Guatemala City, its altitude gives it a temperate climate of warm days and cool nights. Quetzaltenango is the center of the Quiché Maya culture, who call it Xelajú, or Xela, which means "under 10 volcanoes."

Xela makes an excellent base of operations from which to venture into nearby villages for handicrafts and to hot springs for a bubbly retreat. The city itself has a fine selection of hotels and restaurants, as well as an interesting historical center. Visit the Natural History Museum for a look at what makes Guatemala what it is today, and the Museo del Ferrocarril de los Altos for railroad lore and the art exhibits upstairs. Don't miss the Municipal Theater, a neoclassical building that still hosts regular performances.

Santa Elena and Flores
Santa Elena and Flores are sister cities connected by a 1,640-foot causeway, as the latter was built on an island in the middle of Petén Itzá Lake. The two actually form a triumvirate with the town of San Benito, just west of Santa Elena. There's an airport in Santa Elena, and there are plenty of hotels and tourist services, including guides to take you into the remoter parts of the El Petén jungle, home to the world-famous ruins of Tikal, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There is an excellent highway maintained by the Guatemalan government connecting the Santa Elena and Flores area with Tikal, which is some 43 miles to the northeast.

Museums
A museum-tour is a must in Guatemala City's zonas 10 and 13. In zona 10 visit the Museo Ixchel del Traje Indígena (Ixchel Indigenous Costume Museum), which offers colorful exhibits of traditional costumes and textiles, and the Museo Popol Vuh, which showcases Mayan artifacts from around the country—including a copy of one of the famous Mayan painted books and a Mayan sarcophagus.

In zona 13 check out the six permanent exhibits of the National Archeology and Ethnology Museum, which also features a hall for special exhibitions and an extensive library of books on the archeology, ethnology and physical anthropology of the Indians of the Americas. The National Museum of Modern Art has a collection of 20th century Guatemalan paintings and sculptures.

There are several interesting museums in Antigua Guatemala, including the Museo de Santiago with its colonial furnishings, artifacts and weapons, and the Museo del Libro Antiguo (Museum of Ancient Books), which exhibits colonial printing and binding, as well as a colonial prison. For an authentic glimpse into life in the 17th century, visit the exquisitely restored mansion now known as Casa Popenoe.

The National Museum in the market town of Chichicastenango has on exhibit ancient pottery and Mayan artifacts, as well as an eye-catching collection of jade. The Museo de Niño offers fun, interactive games for children that teach them about science and animals.

Antigua Guatemala
The former capital of Guatemala is located 35 minutes by car from Guatemala City. Antigua is the country's premiere colonial destination (it's been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and has a breathtaking setting—the Fuego, Agua and Acatenango volcanoes surround it. If you decide to spend Holy Week in Guatemala, this is the place to be (make your reservations months in advance, it's a popular spot). The traditional celebrations brought from Spain in the 17th century have become fused with the colorful Mayan rituals, resulting in a unique spectacle. Bring your camera to photograph the now-famous "street paintings" made with flower petals and colored sawdust that pave the way for the processions.

Antigua is also known for its rich-tasting coffee and Spanish language schools, as well as its hand-carved jade (sold at excellent prices!)

Chichicastenango
This remote mountain village has long been the site of an important mercado, a meeting not only to trade, sell and buy goods, but also to keep ancient traditions and rites alive and well. Religious brotherhoods called cofradías often hold processions during the Sunday mercado, offering visitors a glimpse of the unique symbiosis between Mayan rituals and Catholic ceremonies.

Esquipulas
Esquipulas is the final stop on a route that takes visitors through history via the churches of the Colonial period, such as San Agustín in El Progreso or Jocotán and Quetzaltepeque in Chiquimula. It's almost a matter of saving the best for last: the largest baroque temple in the country is in Esquipulas, and it's home to the famous Black Christ venerated by thousands of Guatemalans.

Todos Santos Cuchumatan
Located within the Huehuetenango region in northwestern Guatemala, this high mountain village is home to the Mam branch of the Mayan Indians. As its name in Spanish indicates, the place is known for its celebration of All Saint's Day, when the living remember the dead with music, grave decorations and rituals. It's a weeklong event that ends November 1st with an annual horse race. Its strong Catholic displays notwithstanding, Todos Santos is a place where the ancient traditions still hold strong, including the observation of the Mayan Calendar.

Livingston
The Garifuna port of Livingston is almost a world apart from the rest of Guatemala. The people are friendly, outgoing and proud of their Afro-Caribbean roots. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants for you to extend your stay—and make sure to bring your dancing shoes! Festivities are a passion of the Garifuna, who celebrate with intoxicating music and delicious food.

From Lívingston you can also visit incredible natural attractions such as Siete Altares, a series of freshwater cascades that form pristine pools fringed by palms, or you can go to the stunning Dulce River and visit the Chocon Machacas Biotope.

Like any other major metropolis, Guatemala City is the center of the country's nightlife. You'll find the best nightclubs and restaurants in the Zona Viva, offering all types of music, including English, Australian and Irish. And don't forget that Guatemala is the hometown of the marimba, a large xylophone played by four to nine players simultaneously. You'll find plenty of venues showcasing this music all over the country; in Guatemala City check out La Bodeguita in Zone 1.

If you're looking for an exotic Caribbean beat, you'll find it in Livingston, where the beach is dotted with outdoor dance clubs.

Guatemalan cuisine reflects the country's historic heritage. The ancient Mayas contributed corn — corn tortillas are a staple today, and a cereal grain called amaranth. Spanish conquistadors arrived next and brought with them favorites such as enchiladas, guacamole and tamales. Finally, present day immigrants such as the Chinese have opened restaurants in many major towns.

There is no official 'national dish', yet staple ingredients of many typical meals include meat, poultry, rice, beans and corn. Native dishes include Chiles Rellenos (chiles stuffed with meat and vegetables), Chicken Pepián, (chicken cooked in a spicy pumpkin and sesame seed sauce), shrimp ceviche (shrimp pickled in lime juice), bistec (grilled or fried beef), kakik (spiced turkey soup), jocon (chicken in green tomato sauce), guacamole (mashed ripe avocado with tomatoes, onion and spices) and subanik (beef, pork and chicken vapor-cooked in a highly spiced sauce). Black beans are usually refried (volteados), mashed, or simply eaten whole (parados). On the Caribbean coast, the specialty is seafood. The most popular dish is the tapado, a seafood chowder cooked in coconut milk with sweet potatoes and bananas.

Tamales are another favorite food and no one style fits all tastes. For example, tomatoes and annatto seed gives tamales colorados (red tamales), their distinct color. Some tamales negros (black tamales) contain chocolate, others are made out of blue/black corn. Chuchitos (little dogs) are small firm tamales wrapped in corn husks rather than the traditional plantain leaves. Paches are a kind of tamal made from potatoes instead of corn, while tamales dulces (sweet tamales) are stuffed full of dried fruits and nuts rather than meats.

Many visitors head to the town of Antigua for its specialty candy. This is made out of local ingredients such as fruits, seeds, nuts, honey and sweetened condensed milk.

An enormous variety of fruits and vegetables are grown in Guatemala, such as yucca, carrots, plantains, celery, cucumbers, and radishes. The country is also known for its excellent high mountain coffee. Soft drinks, or agues, and fruit juices mixed with water or milk, called licuado, are other popular beverages.

Diners in Guatemala City can choose from a wide selection of cuisine, ranging from American to Argentine, Chinese, German, Italian, Mexican and Spanish. Fast-food chains also have outlets here, and there are many continental-style cafés.

Archaeology

Guatemala lies in the heart of the Mayan World, so it's a wonderland for archeology buffs. Quetzaltenango is the center of the Quiché Maya culture, who call it Xelajú, or Xela, which means "under 10 volcanoes." The monumental pyramids of Tikal rise from the midst of the El Petén jungle like a scene from a multi-million dollar Hollywood production—only this is very much the real thing. Once a city of great wealth and military power, Tikal's temples, palaces and plazas today play host to howler monkeys and brightly-plumed parrots—plus a hoard of tourists and archeologists, who continue to study this magnificent complex. Its location in the middle of the verdant rainforest makes it unique among the other well-known Mayan sites—the sights and sounds of the ever-present wildlife and rustling of leaves serve as an unforgettable backdrop to your adventure. Quirigua is one of the smallest Mayan cities, but makes up for its size with a splendid collection of stelae, one of which is more than 30 feet high. Together with the temples and four rocks carved into mythological animals, the site is well worth the trip to the banana-producing region of Izabal.

Guatemala's Tourist Commission introduced its new 'Mayan People' ethnic tourism program in 2009, which includes the development of three new tourist routes: The Mayan Universe Trail, the Mayan Calendar Trail, and the Mayan Dualism Trail. These routes will run through areas where there is a big Mayan population such as Sacatepequez, Chimaltenango, Totonicapan, Quiche, Huehuetenango, Solola, Retalhuleu, Quetzaltenango, Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz. Treks provide a true insight into the Mayan culture and how it survives today by exploring some of the main archaeological sites and sacred places as well as showcasing foods, clothes, crafts, and spiritual ceremonies and traditions.

Beaches

Black volcanic sand beaches line Guatemala's Pacific coast. Monterrico is one of the closest beaches to Guatemala city, and an unpretentious place where chicken and pigs freely roam the roads. Nearby is Hawaii beach, part of the Biotopo Monterrico-Hawaii Nature Reserve where visitors can often take part in the turtle release program. North of Monterrico and outside of Puerto San Jose are a couple of nice beaches in the small village of Chulamar. Nearer the city of Quetzaltenango are the beaches of Champerico, where surfing is popular, and Tilapa, which fronts a small fishing village. Champerico and Tilapa beaches are uncrowded and off the beaten track.

Bird Watching

Trek through the Quetzal Biotope, a magnificent refuge created to protect the national bird, the resplendent quetzal. Start out early in the morning for the best chance of a sighting. Bird watchers will revel in the opportunities to add this and all sorts of colorful plumage to their brag books. Bird watching is best in January and February, and at sunrise, at the Biotopo Monterrico-Hawaii Nature Reserve. Cloud forests, pine forests in the high mountains and rainforests in the lowlands provide the ideal nesting grounds for birds of all kinds. Species you're likely to see include the Highland Guan, Mountain Trogon, Pink-headed Warbler, Blue-throated Green Motmot, Hairy Wood Pecker and many types of Humming Birds. King Fishers, Toucans and Macaws inhabit the Caribbean coast.

Caving

Candelaria Caves, located in the limestone hills near the town of Coban, are over 15 miles long and thought to be the longest cave system in Latin America. Passageways vary from narrow to wide, with the near 700-foot Tzul Tacca chamber the biggest — literally — attraction. The ancient Maya considered this cave to be the entrance to the underworld of Xibalba and the Q'eqchi' Maya still come to pray here. Near Flores, the Actun Kan Caves are relatively small, but the more than 30 stalactite and stalagmite formations are worth the tour.

Golf

Several private and public 18-hole golf courses dot Guatemala's cities and countrysides. Guatemala Country Club and the San Isidro courses lie just outside Guatemala City, while Green Place boasts a 9-hole course right in the city. Hacienda Nueva Country Club is open to the public as is the new La Reunion Antigua Golf Resort, near Antigua, on the Pacific Coast. This 2009-opened course is set on 173-acres and is spectacularly flanked by the Agua, Fuego, Acatenango and Pacaya volcanoes. A resort complex is under construction adjacent to the course.

Hiking

Walkers, hikers and climbers will be in their element in Guatemala thanks to the opportunities to trek on ancient Maya trading routes, along the ridges of magnificent volcanoes and through tiny colorful villages. In Pacaya National Park, you can hike to the top of an active volcano and look down into the lava filled crater. Pathways and trails skirt the spectacular scenery in the Alaska mountain range, where views look down on Lake Atitlan. There's also stunning views, including sighting 10 volcanoes at a time, along the Zunil mountain range. The northern rainforest in the Peten offers jungle hiking at its wildest best.

Watersports

FISHING — Guatemala's Pacific Coast is world-famous for being the 'Sailfishing Capitol of the World'. Strong west-to-east currents flowing down from Mexico meet with east-to-west currents from the El Salvadoran coast to create a huge, natural eddy swimming with the baitfish sailfish and other species such as marlin, tuna and dorado love. There are several outfitters who offer day trips as well as fishing lodges where you can stay and fish for a few days or few weeks.

KAYAKING & RAFTING — Some of the most incredible kayaking is found in Guatemala. You can paddle through rainforests along the Rio Dulce to the Caribbean coast, or sea kayak through a maze of mangroves near the Pacific, or gliding through the mile-high waters of a volcanic lake. Several companies offer guides, and day- or multi-day tours. Rafting is a popular pursuit on the Usumacinta, Naranjo and Cahabon rivers. The Usumacinta in particular carries rafters to remote archeological sites such as Yaxchilán and Piedras Negras.

SAILING — Cast off on a multi-day sailing charter on the Rio Dulce and Lago Izabal. The Rio Dulce meanders along wildlife rich shores and empties into the Caribbean Sea. Lago Izabal is Guatemala's largest lake.

SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELING — The Atitlán Lake offers high-altitude scuba diving (including certifications).

SURFING — Surfing is an emerging sport, but one that's quickly gaining a reputation among surfers who seek virgin territory. The beach at Sipicate is a hot spot. The biggest waves come during the rainy season, between June and October. Paredón Surf Camp, tucked away in the Sipicate-Naranjo National Park, is where you can camp by night on the mosquito net covered hammocks and surf by day.

WINDSURFING — Río Dulce and Lakes Izabal and Atitlán are excellent spots for windsurfing.